Auburn Benton, Jr.

Auburn Edgar Benton, Jr. (known to all as “Ed”), age 95, died at his home in Denver on Monday January 24, 2022. He died peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by family members. The cause of death was Parkinson’s.

Ed was born on July 12, 1926 in Colorado Springs and was orphaned 17 months later. He grew up in a one room shed under the care of his grandmother. Upon graduation from high school in Colorado Springs, Ed applied to be a Yellow Cab mechanic but a series of remarkable coincidences and the kindness of strangers delivered him to Colorado College on scholarship from which he graduated (Phi Beta Kappa) in 1950. While an undergrad at CC he met Stephanie Jakimowitz, his classics professor there, and they married in 1951. Ed and Stephanie left Colorado so Ed could attend Yale Law School, from which he graduated in 1953.

Returning to Colorado after law school, Ed took a job at Holme Roberts & Owen in Denver, where he would spend his entire career, rising through the ranks as the firm grew and serving as managing partner of the firm.

Ed was a giant in the Denver legal community, as a partner in his firm, a counsellor to clients, a mentor to younger lawyers, a wise friend to many. He steadfastly championed community service.

In addition to his thriving legal practice, Ed served his community tirelessly, with a particular focus on civil rights and education. Among his public roles, Ed served as a member of the Denver Public Schools Board of Education (1961-1969), Colorado Commission of HIgher Education (1975-1985), Colorado Board of Ethics (1975-1998), and Social Science Foundation at the Korbel School at the University of Denver. Ed also served on the national board of Common Cause (1975-1985) as well as on the Rocky Mountain Regional Advisory Board of the International Institute for Education for four decades. In 1987 in recognition of his many civic contributions, Ed received an honorary degree from Colorado College.

More recently, in recognition of the transformative impact of education on his and Stephanie’s lives, both first generation college students, he funded scholarships for such students at both Colorado College and the Korbel School.

Throughout his life, Ed cherished time with his Cheesman Park neighbors, where he lived for 58 years, and with his friends and colleagues around the globe. He could regularly be found engaged in spirited debate around the table at the Cactus Club. Ed had a gift for conversation with people from all stations of life and all political persuasions. He was a memorable story-teller and had an uncanny ability to elevate every conversation he joined.

Survivors include his two daughters, Margrit Benton (Mark Nelson) and Mary Benton (Douglas Barnes), as well as three grandchildren. Ed’s wife Stephanie died in 2010, after 59 years of marriage. Ed was an eternal optimist, with a great sense of humor, and a man of integrity, courage and compassion. Above all, he was a first-rate husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather.

The family wishes to thank our angels, Malliah, Bettye, Deborah, Norman, Ruth, Jennifer and Berri, for their loving care of Ed and Stephanie during the last years of their lives.

Ed will be buried alongside Stephanie at a family ceremony. A service celebrating Ed’s life will be held later this spring, at which time further details will be circulated.

Donations in Ed’s memory may be made in support of the Rachel B. Noel Professorship Endowment https://engage.msudenver.edu/giving/3noel or Senior Support Services www.seniorsupportservices.org/donate.html .